RADIO SPECTRUM MEASUREMENT SYSTEM

• The original RSMS was installed in a modified Dodge Travco motor home. Vehicular modifications included installation of electrical power circuits that could be operated from either single-phase or three-phase commercial connections or from internal generators; a screw-elevated, 30-ft-high rigid roof-mounted tower; five full-height, 19-inch electronic racks (three above the rear axle, facing forward, and two behind the driver's seat, facing rearward); a work desk along the driver's-side wall, between the two sets of racks; a security safe for storage of classified materials; a pair of 5-kW gasoline generators mounted on either side behind the rear axle; a pair of fore-and-aft-mounted rooftop air conditioners; extensive copper-mesh shielding within the vehicle walls; and a second gasoline fuel tank. Mileage was about seven miles per gallon. Vehicle weight with all equipment installed was 16,400 pounds on a frame that was only designed to carry up to 12,000 pounds; drivers had to be extraordinarily careful when maneuvering this system on the highway!
    
  

• By 1990, the original Travco motor home was becoming difficult to support. In particular, the Travco's rear axle wheels featured split rims that in turn required the installation of tube-type tires.  It was deemed impractical to install modified wheels on the rear axle because of the six-bolt configuration of the original Travco axle (all existing wheels by that time being five-bolt configurations). Installing a new axle was not possible because no compatible axles existed for Travco vehicles. Eventually, a decision was made to retire the Travco with over 120,000 miles on the odometer and design an entirely new vehicle which would carry the RSMS III equipment.

CANNONBALL BAKER

• If there was ever a role model for an outlaw cross-country race, it was Cannonball Baker. He had a thing about driving cross country that bordered on obsession.  In honor of his accomplishments, the Cannonball Baker Sea to Sea Trophy Dash was created.  In 1971, the Union 76 Travco Motor Home Team consisted of drivers, Bill Broderick, Phil Pash, both of Chicago, Bob Carey, Arlington, Virginia, Joe Frasson, Golden Valley, Minnesota, and Pal Parker, Waynesville, North Carolina. After driving their 1966 Travco (five years old, 38,000 miles) motor home nonstop from Lou Klug’s motor home rentals in Cincinnati, Ohio, Broderick and Co., caught a few hours sleep and left the Red Ball at 5:56 a.m. While the 65-mph top speed of the old machine made it a long-shot to win, Broderick, who is Union 76’s racing public relations man, hoped to set a cross-country record for motor homes and bring some publicity to his company’s network of lavish truck stops along the way. Phil Pash, motor sports columnist for Chicago Today planned to send daily dispatches on the journey. Pal Parker, a specialist in racing photography, and Bob Carey, Editor of Circle Track ‘and Highway, intended coverage as well. Joe Frasson, an upcoming Grand National stock car driver, was along to run fast, especially while drafting tractor-trailer rigs.  This legendary auto race inspired the movie "Cannonball Run."

CHARLES KURALT

• During correspondent Charles Kuralt’s career broadcasting "On the Road" segments for CBS News, CBS leased or purchased for him two Travco motor homes, two Cortez motor homes, a Revcon motor home and a Farm Machinery Corp. Motor Coach with a big desk. Kuralt wrote television and radio scripts on "the Bus," as he called those vehicles, but slept in motels and ate in restaurants on the road.

RECALLS

• Chrysler Campaign No 112t. Truck Motor Home-chassis. Possibility That On Truck Motor Homes Chassis Equipped With A Steering Column Tilt Mechanism, The Two 8-way Electrical Disconnects Joining The Instrument Panel Wiring Harness To the Steering Column Wiring Harness Maybe Of Inadequate Length. If Condition Exists, The Two Electrical Disconnects May Separate When The Tilt Steering Column Is In Its Full Rearward Position. Separation Of The Turn Signal/Hazard Warning Signal Disconnect Would Result In Inoperative Turn Signals And Hazardous Warning System. This Is A Safety-related Defect In View Of Fmvss108. In Addition , A Separation Of The Ignition Circuit Disconnect Would Result In A Loss Of Engine Power Or An Inability To Start Vehicle (correct By inspecting And Installing Of A Wiring Extension Where Necessary).  
• 1971 2+2/220/270 Corr: Dodge Motor Home. Manfd 11-1 1971 Thru 4-1 1972. Possibility That Plastic Tee Connecting Speed Control System To Vehicle Brake Booster Vacuum System May break. If Condition Occurs, A Greater Brake Pedal Force Will Be Required To Stop Vehicle. (correct By Inspecting And Replacing With New Improved Tee Where necessary. ) 
• 1972 2+2/220/270 Corr: Dodge Motor Home. Manfd 11-1 1971 Thru 4-1 1972. Possibility That Plastic Tee connecting Speed Control System To Vehicle Brake Booster Vacuum System May break. If Condition Occurs, A Greater Brake Pedal Force Will Be Required To stop Vehicle. (correct By Inspecting And Replacing With New Improved Tee Where necessary. ) 
• 1974 all models Corr: Travco Campaign No N/a. Motor Home. Motor Homes Were Equipped With Mattress covers Which Failed To Comply With Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No.302 For Flammability. (correct By Inspecting And Replacing Covers Where necessary With One That Meets Requirements Of Standard 302).

ARLO GUTHRIE

• There's a myth regarding a quote made by folk singer Arlo Guthrie.   He never actually made a quote about a Travco.   Court Nederveld, author of the original Travco site, adapted the words to Arlo's classic tune "Alice's Restaurant" and the result goes like this: 

"You know, if one person, just one person buys a Travco, they may think he's really sick and they won't take him. And if two people buy a Travco--in harmony--they may think they're both mentally deficient and they won't take either of them. And if three people do it! Can you imagine three people walkin' in, buy'n a Travco and walkin'out? They might think it's an organization! And can you imagine fifty people a day? I said fifty people a day--walkin' in buy'n a Travco and walkin' out? Friends, they may think it's a movement, and that's what it is: The Travco Anti-Establishment Movement!"

DID TRAVCO GO OUT OF BUSINESS BECAUSE DODGE CEASED MAKING CHASSIS?

• No one now knows the total impact of Dodge's decision on Travco, but it wasn't a sole event that caused Travco to go out of business.  Apparently, sales in the mid 1970's had waned.  Court records read: 

In an unsuccessful effort to increase the attractiveness of the financially troubled Travco corporation to outside investors, respondents (shareholders) voluntarily surrendered some of their shares to the corporation, thereby reducing their combined percentage ownership from 72.5 percent to 68.5 percent. Respondents received no consideration for the surrendered shares, and no other shareholders surrendered any stock. The corporation eventually was liquidated.

Respondents Peter and Karla Fink were the principal shareholders of Travco Corporation, a Michigan manufacturer of motor homes. Travco had one class of common stock outstanding and no preferred stock. Mr. Fink owned 52.2 percent, and Mrs. Fink 20.3 percent, of the outstanding shares. Travco urgently needed new capital as a result of financial difficulties it encountered in the mid-1970's. The Finks voluntarily surrendered some of their shares to Travco in an effort to "increase the attractiveness of the corporation to outside investors."  The effort to attract new investors was unsuccessful, and the corporation eventually was liquidated

PERFECT GIFT

• Looking for the perfect gift for your favorite Travco owner?  Look no more.  For the man, or woman, who has everything.

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TRAVCO IN NASCAR!